Wire or rod connector



Jan. 16, 1,940. L, FRANK 2,187,230

WIRE OR ROD CONNECTOR Filed May 4, 1938 I WMM@ ymffy.

" bolts, nuts, binding posts or other similar devices `Patented Jan. 16, 1940 PATENT OFFICE 1 WIRE. OR non CONNECTOR Louis Frank, Taft, Calif., assigner of one-thirdto Adolph Reader, Taft, Calif., l

\ Application May 4, 193s, serial No. 205,911

`My invention relates to a `connector for Wires, rods, cables and Ithe like andthe construction herein described and claimed is an improvement on the wire or rod connector forming the subject. matterof my `co`pending application, for United States Letters Patent tiled February 21, 1938, Serial No. 191,637. A The principal objects of my present invention, are to generally improve upon and simplify the construction of the connector disclosed in my aforesaid pending patent application and further, to provide a relativelysimple, practical and inexpensive device that may be conveniently employed for connecting wires, rods or cables, and particularly wires ,that are utilized as conductors for electric current `and. `said connector being constructed so as to perform its wire clamping and connecting functionswthoutthe use.` of screws,

that include exposed binding elements.

Further objects` of my invention, are to provide ayconnector of the `character' referred to that is practically automatic inits Wire or. rod gripping and clamping functions, to provide a connector `that may be easily and quickly applied to or removed `from wires, rods and the like, to provide `a connector wherein the exposed parts may be wholly orpartially composed of insulating material, thereby minimizing the possibility of shocks to the .operator while applying thev connector to current carrying wires, and further, to provide a connector that will `be highly effective ingripping the inserted ends of the wires or rods and to `iirmly clamp same against withdrawal.

A further object of my invention, is to provide a connector that may be `conveniently employed in connection with the current carrying wires of practically all electrical appliances, such as sockets, switches, terminals or infact any electric wiring elements wherein -itis necessary to connect a current supply wire with one or more branch current distributing wires.

With the foregoing and other objects in view,`

my invention consists in certain `novel features of construction-and arrangement of parts that will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed and illustratedfin the accompanyingdrawing in which: L Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a connector constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2` is a longitudinal section taken `on the line i 2 2 ofFig. 1. i i

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross section taken approximately on the line 3-3 of Fig. `2. l Fig. 4 is a -longitudinal section through the center of `a modified form of the wire or rodf clamping member.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 'is aside elevational view of a modiiied section taken on the line lized for disengaging the clamping member from the housing.

Fig. 12 is a cross section taken on the line I2--I2 of Fig. 11. .1

Fig. 13 is a longitudinal section taken through thecenter of a modied form'of the connector.

Fig. 14 is a cross'section taken on the line lli-I4 of Fig. 13. l

Fig vl5 is a detail section similar to Fig. 11

`of the connector and showing a sliding tube utiandshowing a `rnodiiied form of the means utilized 'l for disengaging the rod or wire gripping member from the housing.

Fig. 16 is an elevational View, partly in longitudinal `section and showing .a modified form of the connector.`

Referring by numerals vto the accompanying drawing and particularly to the construction illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, IIJ designates a hollow cylindricalmember that forms the body of the connector and projecting from one end thereof is a tubular member l I, the opening l2 through `which gradually tapers towardits Outer end. The rbody I0 and extension Il are preferably provided with circumferentially disposed knurled portions I3 to facilitate the Agripping of the device while the same is being manipulated. The parts l0 and` [I may be formed wholly of metal or of suitably insulating `material or .'Where formed of metal they may be coated or sheathed of insulating material, so as to prevent the possibility of shocks being transmitted to the persons handling the connector. Y

Arranged for longitudinal sliding movement within the hollow body IIJ, is the inner portion of a tubular member I4 and the outer portion of the opening through said tubular member gradually decreases in diametertoward its outer end as designated by I5. The end of tubular member I4 within body I0, is provided'with a circumfer-` ential ange I6 and bearing against -said iiange is one end of an expansive coil spring I'I, the opposite V,end bearing against a ange I3 that projects inwardly from the innerl end of body I0. This spring II yieldingly resists telescopic movement of the parts Ijand I4 away from each other. Extending entirely through member I0, its extension II and member I4, is a tubular core I9, both ends of which project a short distance beyond the outer ends of the parts II and I4 and rthe outer portions of this core gradually decrease in diameter toward their'. outer ends to correspond with the tapered portions I2 and I5.

Tubular core I9 is adapted to receive the adjacent ends of rods, wires, cables or the like 20, that are connected by the device and the inserted ends are adapted to begripped by small balls 2I of hardened metal that occupy aperltures 22 that are formed in the tapered end portions of said core.

The tapered inner faces I2 and I5 of the parts III and I4 bear on the balls 2l and press the same inwardly to grip the inserted ends of the rods or wires 20, thus firmly holding the same in connected relation, and in this connection it will be understood that theV expansive force of' spring I'I normally acts against the flanges I6 and I8 to move member I4v into the body member I0, thus causing the inclined surfaces l2 and I5 to force the balls into gripping engagement with the inserted ends of the rods or wires.

In order to move body member I0 and tubular member I4' apart or away from each other to relieve pressure upon the balls 2l that grip theinserted rods or wires, a collar23 is mounted to rotate freely upon member I4 immediately adjacent the flanged end I8 of body IIJ and the outer edge of this collar is inclined with respect to the axis of the connector so as to form an eccentric 24. This eccentric: edge bears against a correspondingly inclined eccentric shoulder that is formed on the outer surface ofv member I4. The outer face of the collar 23 is knurled in order to facilitate manipulation.

When collar 23 is rotated in either direction, its, inclined edge 24 bears against the inclined edge 25 with the result that tube I4` and body ID will be moved away from each other against the resistance of spring I1, so as to relieve pressure upon theballs 2| and consequently releasing the inserted ends of the rods or wires.

When the parts Il! and I4 have been moved away from each other as just described, the

projecting ends of the tubular member I4 may be engaged and moved lengthwise a' short distance in order to release the balls from their gripping engagement with the inserted rods or wires. j

In Figs. 4 and 5' I have shown a modified form of the rod orwire gripping core and in this construction a tubular body 26 has portions of its ends out away to form notches 26aand loosely arranged in said 4notches are separately formed jaws 2. The under faces of the jaws and the facesV of the notched portions of core 26 that underlie said jaws are provided with longitudinally disposed grooves `28 that register with one another and the faces of I said grooves are provided with transversely corrugations 29 in order to more firmly grip the inserted ends of the wires or rods. The grooves 28 are preferably curved or made zigzag lengthwise of the core so as to correspondingly kink and more firmly grip the inserted ends of the wires, rods or the like,

Both ends of the core and the jaws 21 are tapered toward their outer ends to correspond with the tapered inner end portions I2 and I5 of the connector and when said core is positioned within the connector, the balls engage 5 the tapered surfaces of the core and jaws so as to produce clamping action upon the ends of the rods or wires.

in the modification illustrated in Figs. 6 to l0 inclusive, the body of the connector is formed l0 in two parts, one part comprising a tubular member 30 having an extension 3l of reduced diameter and the opening through the reduced portion 3l .gradually tapers toward the outer end thereof. The other member forming the 15 body of the connector comprises a tubular member 32, one end of which is positioned within the tubular body 30. The outer portion or the opening through member 32 gradually decreases in diameter toward lits outer end and thusthe two parts of the connector are adapted to receive a wire gripping core 33 which may be identical in construction with the core I 9 that carries the balls 2l or the core 26 having the jaws 2. This form of connector has no expansive spring for moving the two members of the connector away from each other, but such movement is brought about through the use of a lever 34 having a bifurcated portion 35 that I overlies member 32 and the ends of the arms 30 comprising such bifurcated portion being pivotally secured at diametrically opposite points on member 32 by pins 36.

Pivotally secured to the arms of member 35 by pins 3l, are armsr 33 that extend alongside 35 of member 32 into member 3B and the ends of these arms Within said member are provided with outwardly projecting hooks 38a that extend through inclined slots 39 that are formed in the opposite sides of member 30.

The edges of the slots 39 that are engaged by the hooks 38a are notched as designated by 40 for the reception of said hooks 38a and as the slots 39 are inclined, the extended or contracted position of the parts 3| and 32 with respect to each other may be varied, so that said parts will properly cooperate with core 33 and when such `adjustment is accomplished the hooks 38a are shifted from one pair of notches to another, depending upon the longitudinal adjustment of the parts of the connector.

When lever 34 is swung downward on to member 32 to draw the parts 3I and 32 into clamping engagement with the enclosed core, the pins 3'! occupy a position just below the plane occupied by the pins 35, and thus the lever 34 and arms 38 are held in latched position and to -secure the lever in such position its outer end projects beneath a collar 4I that is mounted for rotation on the outer end of member 32.

This collar 4I is provided with a notch 42 which, when turned into proper position permits the end or" lever 34 to be positioned beneath the collar and after so doing the collar may be rotated a short distance in either direction, so as to move the notch out of registration with the end of the lever and thereby re taining the latter in latching position.

In Figs. l1 and 12, I have shown manually operable means for conveniently moving the body of the connector and the core longitudi nally with respect to each other, in order to facilitate the disengagement of the rod or wire from the connector.

This means comprises a short tube' 43 that is 75 `mountedfor` sliding movement in the end of the body of the connector beyond the end of the rod or wire gripping core 44 and said tube being retained in operativegengagement with thebody of the connector by means `of diametrically roppositeears 445 that projectintoshort longitudinally disposed slots 46 that are formed in tube 43.

The outer end of tube43 is provided withv a flange 4l to `enable it to be readilyengaged and `moved lengthwise.

vAfter the `parts of` the connector have been 'released from clamping engagement with the core and` thereis tendency of the core to stick tothe connector or to the engaged rod or wire, tube 43 is pressed inwardly, thereby engaging against the end of the core, and such action effects disengagement of the core fromthebody of the connector or a disengagement of the` core from the inserted wire or rod;` i

In Figs, 13 and 14, I have shown a modified construction comprising tubular connector body members 48 and 49,`.the outer ends of the openings,throughfwhich` are tapered for engagement Vwith the correspondingly tapered end portions of awire or rod gripping core 58, which may be identical with core I9 or the core .26 and one end of body member 49 projects into bodyjmember 48. The end of member 49 that projects into` member 48 is provided with a circumferential ilange l that is externally threaded for engagement with an internal thread 52 that is formed in member 48. Member 49 is prevented from being wholly withdrawn from member 48 by a ange 53 that is formed on the end of member 43 and which forms a stop for the flange 5l and consequently limiting the movementv of member 49 away from member 48.

Arranged within member 48 and bearing against an internal shoulder 54 therein, is a conventionallock washer 55 having oppositely disposed `beveled ends 56 that are adapted, when` the member 49 is screwed toits limit into member 48, to engage respectively theinner end of member 49 and the shoulder 54 to prevent the same from unscrewing and becoming loose after having been moved into clamping engagement iently rotated and the inner end of said sleeve is adapted when screwed inwardly to bear with pressure against the `end of the wire or rod gripping core 60.

In the modication illustrated in Fig. 16, the body of the connector comprises twoparts 6I and 62 that are similar in construction and funci.

tions to the parts I8 and I4 previously described. These parts are normally urged toward each other by an expansive spring 63 similar to spring il and the internally tapered end portions of the members 6| and 62 are adaptedto engage wire or rod gripping balls 64 that are carried by a core B5. If desired, a corefsimilar to the core 28 illustrated in Fig. 4 may be used in this particular kform `of connector.

In order to move the connector body members 6I and 52 apart, so as to releasethe core from its gripping engagement with the inserted ends of the rods or wires, a ring 66 having a knurled edge to facilitate manipulation is mountedto rotateA on member 62 adjacent the inner end of member BI. Carried by this ring is a pair of diametrically opposite lugs 61 having inclined faces, thus `providing eccentrics that are adapted to engage inclined faces 88 that are formed `on body member 62. Thus when the high points ofthe eccentrics, or the points between the pair of inclined Ifaces, are in engagement with each other, the parts El and 62 are moved to their limit of movement away from each other as illustrated in Fig. 16, thus in effect releasing the core that grips the inserted ends of the rods or of a turn the spring E3 acts to move the `body `members 6l and 62 toward each other, so as to for the accommodation of wires and rods of different sizes and by insulating the exposed parts wires, and when ring 66 is rotated a quarter i of the connectors, or by forming the parts wholly from insulation, the possibility of shock to the user of the device is eliminated and no insulating tape or the like is required in making connections between current carryingwires or cables.

An especial advantage of the connector is that the same may be used for connecting Wires, rods or the like, without requiring the use of special tools or equipment and the construction of the cores and their cooperative effect with therbody of the connector is such that the inserted ends of the rods or Wires are very securely gripped and maintained in connected relation.

l A further advantage of myimproved connector is the extending of the ends of the core beyond theends of the body of the connector and the use of means in one or both ends of the holder whereby the core and holder may be moved a sufficient distance lengthwise with respect to each other to overcome any tendency of the core and body members to stick to each other after having been in service for an extended period of time.

It will be understood that minor changes in the size, form. and construction of the various parts of my improved wire or rod connectonmay be` made and substituted for those herein shown `and described, without departing from the spirit of my invention, the scope of which is set forth in the appended claims.

Iclaim as my invention: n i

1. In a wire or rod connector., a tubular core, means on the end portions of said core for gripping inserted wires or rods, a two-part housing enclosing said core and adapted to move the gripping means into engagement with the inserti ed wires or rods, a spring arranged between the parts of the housing `and Vadapted to normally move the same toward each other and manually operable means mounted for rotation on one of said body members for moving the body members in opposite directions away from each other.

2. In a wire or rod connector, a tubular core, meanson the end portions of said core for gripping inserted wires or rods, a two-part housing enclosing said core and adapted to move the gripping means into engagement with the inserted Wires or rods, a spring arranged between the parts of the housing and adapted to normally move. the same toward each other and manually operable means mounted for operation on one of the body forming'I members and engaging the other bodyforming member for drawing said body forming members longitudinally away from each other.

3. A wire or rod connectoras set forth in claim 2 and with means for latching said manually operable means to the body member on which it is mounted.

4. In a wire or rod connector, a tubular core, means on the ends of said core for gripping the inserted ends of rods or Wires, a two-part telescopic housing enclosing said core and means screw seated in the outer ends of the parts of said housing for applying pressure to the ends of said core.

5. In a wireor rod connector, a two-part housing, there being threaded engagement between theV twoparts of the housing whereby the same may be' moved toward or away from each other, a tubular core Within said housing, means on said core for engaging and gripping the inserted ends of wires or rods, a lock washer arranged between the parts of the housing for securing the same against separating movement after they have been moved to their limit of movement toward each other and co-operating means on the two parts of the housing for limiting their movements away from each other.

6. In a wire or rod connector, the combination with a two-part telescopic housing, of means for moving the parts of said housing longitudinally toward each other, means for moving the parts of the housing longitudinally away from each other, a tubular core extending lengthwise Within said housing, the end portionsI of said core being cut away to form notches, jaws loosely mounted in said notches, the adjacent faces of which jaws and the notched portions of said core being provided with longitudinally disposed Zigzag, transversely corrugated grooves for the reception of inserted wires or rods, the end portions of said core and said jaws being tapered toward their outer ends and the outerl portions of the openings through the parts vof the housing being correspondingly tapered.

LOUIS FRANK. 

